Sensors

Research in the field of sensors and sensor technology pursue thermal sensors, resonant MEMS transducers, and thermal material parameter determination. Nevertheless, the institute is seeking for new research topics that may arise from the demand for new challenging applications or from emerging collaborations with new external partners. Mathematical modelling of sensors and sensor systems is a fundamental part of the research activities. Appropriate analytical modelling is preferrable wherever possible since numerical models often suffer from typical problems, e.g., they obfuscate essential facts or they are hard to handle in terms of optimization. Nevertheless, extensive computer numerical simulations based on boundary element, finite element, and coupled method analysis will be performed as well to verify analytical models and to investigate effects that cannot be explored analytically.

The research focus is on the application of micro machining to create micro sized, highly dynamic sensors on the basis of silicon. In particular one focus is to enhance transducers with readout concepts enabling seamless integration with (micro)-electronic circuitry as well as further miniaturization. This also requires adaptation of the transducers to yield optimal overall performance. Energy awareness and reliability are of particular interest for the transducer and interface design. System integration and networking aspects like autonomous operation and clock synchronization between sensor nodes also have an influence on transducer design that needs to be explored.

Measurands already covered are flow, viscosity, or magnetic fields. Other projects investigate contactless and indirect measurement of temperature and capacitive sensors. Especially important is the interdisciplinary component in design that allows to integrated all components of a sensor system.

Technically relevant aspects of biological sensor systems will be an attractive longterm concern promising new grounds for innovative sensing systems. Bionic strategies have already proven their benefit in the context of dedicated sensor development. Bio-inspired techniques covering the complete signal chain composed of signal transduction, signal extraction, signal coding, signal transmission, and information extraction aspects are considered in this context.

Contact: Franz Kohl